The 36 hour trip fro E!

SOOOOO...

I returned from a trip to AZ on Labor Day weekend. I was going to say farewell to a dear friend of mine who is headed off to Kenya to join the Peace Corps. It was really a short trip. And a suprise visit for Eric. I had been telling him since May that I wouldn't be able to make it for his going away party. Boy, did I have him fooled.

On Sat morning, I got on a 7:30am flight out of Raleigh-Durham and arrived in Phoenix about 9:30am. My friend Cristin had arrived the previous day. I plotted with her on how we were going to meet up with Eric to suprise him. She told him that my grandmother wanted to meet them for brunch (Eric loves my grandmother) I knew he wouldn't be ableto say no to that. So when Eric showed up at Cristin's hotel where "grandmother" would be meeting them, I snuck up behind them while they stood at the check-out counter and waited for eric to turn around. I wish I had a million bucks to pay to see the look on his face. He couldn't have been more suprised. Off to lunch we went with the gang. It was one of the better times I have had in a long time. I was with some of my favorite people. Cristin, Eric, Grandmother and my "little brother" Nylin.

Afterwards, we said our goodbye's to G-ma and Nylin then headed to Eric's mom's place. To wait 'til party time. I had to take a nap before the party started, I was one tired cookie from workin' and travellin'. When I awoke, the party was in full swing. Several people had arrived including the parents sister and neice of my good colege buddy, Mikey (aka Mickey P). I hadn't seen them in years. At least 4 if not 5 years. I also got so see a friend of Eric's family, Joan. I've never spent too much time with her, but for some reason I always look forward to seeing her.

So the party was a great success. There was catered food, dancing, a band, booze, a naked lady in the pool (thats a story for another day), a thunder storm singing to Eric's guitar playing and late night swimming and of course lots of people that are gonna miss Eric quite a bit while he is out making a difference on the other side of the globe. I don't think anyone will miss him as much as I will though (mabe with the exception of his mother.) I even start to well up just typing about it.

I don't think I have ever had so many years of fun and laughter with the same person. We've had adventures together with skiing in Colorado, caving in Washington State, exploring Seattle, galavanting around Manhattan, driving from NY to NC and back, Renting motorcycles and putting 500 miles on them in a day. and hoping to make many more memories like that. Even though I only get to see him once a year or so, I always look forward to the e-mails and accessibility by phone. Both of with are going to be scarce in Kenya. Therefore, I will miss him bunches and bunches.

I do plan to head out there in the next 12-18 months to do an international elective in medicine for a month so I can see a new place and get credit for it. And of course, the biggest reason of all is so that I can see my buddy E!

After the booze dried up and we were all pooped, I pulled up a piece of tile flooring and off to sleep I was til sunday morning. we all got up, a few of us headed out to grab some Krispy Kream donuts then some more pool time (minus the naked lady). Cristin left mid day for her flight. Eric and I did some shopping for his leatherman that he is taking on his trip and then it was off to the airport. It was a rather sad goodbye. And a very short one, cause I knew I would cry if I said the goodbye I really wanted to say. so I just did the quick "good seeing you, I'll miss you, talk to you soon, tell me what you want me to send." then a quick hug and I immediately turned toward the door of the terminal before the waterworks began. (dammit, I am welling up again).

Anyway, lets just say it was well worth the 36 hours I spent in AZ, getting to see two very good friends (Eric and Cristin), Eric's mom, friends and other family and getting to see my family.

I spoke with Eric earlier today on his cell phone. He was doing some last minute shopping before he heads to Philly for some training tomorrow. I tried calling him a few minutes ago, but ...sigh...his phone has been disconnected. It's all beginning. Only a few more days in the U.S. for him.

I'm gonna miss him. But I can't wait to visit in about a year.

Dr. T